Mauresmo, Myskina, Molik Into Quarters at Antwerp

Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo defeated French compatriot Mary Pierce in straight sets for the second consecutive week to gain the quarterfinals Thursday at the WTA stop in Antwerp.

"My game is becoming more and more aggressive but at the same time I am able to remain calm and focused," said Mauresmo, expounding on the philosophical tip. "I know that tennis can be disappointing but I am only thinking about the good things that it can bring."

Mauresmo, who is currently negotiating with former French Open winner Yannick Noah to help her mental game, said improving her net play will be the key to breaking through for a first grand slam title.

Other seeds into the quarterfinals Thursday were (2) Anastasia Myskina (d. Tatiana "Hot Pants" Golovin in three) and (4) Alicia Molik (d. Maleeva 7-6 in the third).

"It was a tight match, but I expected no less," Myskina said. "Tatiana is a very good player."

Two unseeded players also navigated their way into the quarters in Czech Klara "Kouky" Koukalova (d. (LL) Schaul) and Slovak Katarina Srebotnik (d. Chakvetadze 7-6 in the third, winning the battle of the qualifiers).

Friday's quarterfinal match-ups are Molik vs. Koukalova, Mauresmo vs. Schnyder, Clijsters vs. Venus, and Srebotnik vs. Myskina.